Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) Short Interest Up 20.8% in January

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) was the target of a large increase in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 10,785,354 shares, an increase of 20.8% from the January 15th total of 8,931,920 shares. Currently, 11.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,093,477 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,093,477 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.5 days. Currently, 11.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently issued reports on SFM shares. Roth Mkm reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $91.00 price objective on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in a report on Thursday, October 30th. Barclays dropped their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $185.00 to $122.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Wall Street Zen raised Sprouts Farmers Market from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their target price on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $152.00 to $130.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Sprouts Farmers Market has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $125.77.

Sprouts Farmers Market Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ SFM traded down $1.43 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $67.54. 2,352,675 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,932,035. Sprouts Farmers Market has a 12 month low of $64.75 and a 12 month high of $182.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 1.05. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $75.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $100.03. The firm has a market cap of $6.58 billion, a PE ratio of 13.06, a PEG ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 0.76.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Sprouts Farmers Market news, insider John Scott Neal sold 17,471 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $85.20, for a total value of $1,488,529.20. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 14,178 shares in the company, valued at $1,207,965.60. The trade was a 55.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CMO Alisa Gmelich sold 3,161 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction on Friday, December 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $79.39, for a total transaction of $250,951.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief marketing officer directly owned 5,552 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $440,773.28. The trade was a 36.28% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Sprouts Farmers Market

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,309.1% during the 4th quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 310 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the third quarter valued at $26,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its position in Sprouts Farmers Market by 72.7% during the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 380 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 160 shares in the last quarter.

Sprouts Farmers Market Company Profile

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc (NASDAQ: SFM) is a specialty grocery retailer focused on fresh, natural and organic foods. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the company operates stores designed to offer an open-market shopping experience, emphasizing quality produce sourced from regional farmers alongside organic pantry staples, dairy, meat and seafood. Sprouts’ product assortment also includes bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, a deli and prepared foods, reflecting its commitment to wellness and affordable healthy living.

Founded in 2002 by members of the Boney family, Sprouts began as a single farmers market in Chandler, Arizona.